Cisco C220 M5 1U Rack Server — Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6132, 192GB RAM, 512GB Optane PMem

Introducing the Cisco C220 M5 1U Rack Server, a compact powerhouse designed to elevate data center efficiency and performance within Cisco’s Unified Computing System (UCS) ecosystem. Built for enterprise workloads, this 1U server pairs dual Intel Xeon Gold 6132 processors with DDR4-3200 memory and industry-leading Intel Optane Persistent Memory, delivering the speed, capacity, and reliability required for virtualization, databases, and analytics. With a Serial ATA, 12Gb/s SAS controller and robust manageability, the C220 M5 is engineered to simplify deployment, scale with your needs, and keep critical workloads humming with Cisco-grade reliability.

• Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6132 processors at 2.60 GHz deliver scalable compute for virtualization, databases, and business-critical apps.
• 192 GB DDR4-3200 ECC RAM enables fast, reliable multitasking and memory-intensive workloads such as in-memory databases and virtualization.
• 512GB Intel Optane Persistent Memory Modules provide a new tier of memory that accelerates analytics, caching, and memory-intensive applications while offering persistent data options.
• 1U rack form factor with Serial ATA and 12Gb/s SAS controller ensures flexible storage connectivity, throughput, and expandability in dense data centers.
• Designed for Cisco UCS compatibility, enterprise-grade reliability, secure management, and streamlined operations in modern virtualized environments.

Technical Details of Cisco C220 M5

• Model: Cisco C220 M5 1U Rack Server
• Processors: 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6132, 2.60 GHz
• Memory: 192 GB DDR4-3200 ECC RAM
• Storage Controller: Serial ATA, 12Gb/s SAS Controller
• Persistent Memory: 512GB Intel Optane Persistent Memory Modules (PMem)
• Form Factor: 1U rack

How to install Cisco C220 M5

• Step 1 — Rack deployment: Securely mount the Cisco C220 M5 in a compatible 19-inch rack, aligning rails and fastening the unit to support proper airflow and maintenance access.
• Step 2 — Power and cabling: Connect redundant power supplies if available, attach network interfaces, and connect storage cables per your data center topology while organizing cables for airflow and serviceability.
• Step 3 — Initial boot and BIOS/UEFI: Power on and access BIOS/UEFI to verify hardware inventory, enable essential virtualization features, set boot order, and configure firmware baseline.
• Step 4 — OS installation: Install your chosen operating system or virtualization platform. Apply the latest firmware and driver packages from Cisco as needed to ensure optimal compatibility and security.
• Step 5 — Optane PMem configuration: If using Intel Optane PMem, decide between memory mode for increased usable memory capacity or App Direct mode for persistent memory with byte-addressable access; configure according to your workload requirements and OS guidance.
• Step 6 — Storage and RAID configuration: Configure drives via the OS or firmware tools, set up RAID or non-RAID policies as appropriate, and establish hot spares for resilience.
• Step 7 — Security and management: Enable security features, enroll the server in Cisco management tools, configure user access, and set up monitoring and alerts for proactive maintenance.
• Step 8 — Validation and tuning: Run baseline performance tests, optimize BIOS and OS settings for your workload, and implement a robust backup and disaster recovery plan.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What are the core specifications of the Cisco C220 M5?

  A: It features dual Intel Xeon Gold 6132 processors at 2.60 GHz, 192 GB of DDR4-3200 ECC RAM, a Serial ATA, 12Gb/s SAS storage controller, and 512GB Intel Optane Persistent Memory Modules, all in a 1U rack form factor.

• Q: What workloads is this server best suited for?

  A: The Cisco C220 M5 excels in virtualization, private clouds, databases, analytics, and other data-intensive workloads that benefit from high processor density and substantial memory capacity.

• Q: How does Optane PMem benefit performance?

  A: Intel Optane Persistent Memory adds a new memory tier that can accelerate data access and analytics workloads, offering greater memory capacity in memory mode or persistent data features in App Direct mode, depending on configuration and software support.

• Q: Is this server compatible with Cisco UCS?

  A: Yes. The C220 M5 is designed to integrate with Cisco's Unified Computing System, enabling centralized management, policy-based automation, and streamlined operations in UCS environments.

• Q: How do I install and configure Optane PMem?

  A: Optane PMem configuration depends on your OS and workloads. You typically configure the modules in the OS using the appropriate drivers and firmware tools, selecting memory mode or App Direct as needed, and consulting the latest Cisco and Intel documentation for precise steps.